THE CUTTING EDGE

Sunday January 10 2016

In Summary

Conspicuously missing from the national debate on the problems ravaging the country today is the voice of the clergy.

Calling the Kenya National Highways Authority, Oscar Wanyonyi says there are unmarked bumps on the newly refurbished Kericho-Kisumu highway that pose grave danger to road users, especially at night.

SILENT CLERGY: Conspicuously missing from the national debate on the problems ravaging the country today is the voice of the clergy, who have in the past been vocal in condemning vices, says Taabu Tele. “How one misses the golden era of the David Gitaris, Henry Okullus, Alexander Muges, and Timothy Njoyas, who were the conscience of the nation and pillars in the fight for democracy and against injustices. The present clerics have been outwitted by the selfish politicians.” His contact is[email protected]

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GOOD IMPROVEMENT: Some progress is being made, says Kanyi Gioko, praising the Tembea Kenya Initiative, as a part of which he recently cycled around Mt Kenya, meeting his friends and family members. “I was happy I came across only five drunk men during the entire journey, who appeared to be above 60. My heart glowed on seeing young men and women well-dressed, sober, and coherent. It was a departure from the past when all many cared about is 20bob to top up their drunken stupor. Let’s now target corruption and bad leadership.” His contact is [email protected]

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NIGHTMARE ROADS: Desperately appealing for help from Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and his roads department is Ben I. Maina, a resident of the Eastlands suburb of Donholm, who says the main road to the area and the roads to the various estates now look like freshly dug gardens. He does not understand why the county leadership has not fixed the roads. “The numerous potholes are the cause of the never-ending traffic jams that are also taken advantage of by carjackers, who pounce as motorists slow down.” His contact is Tel 0722700988 or [email protected]

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DANGEROUS BUMPS: Calling the Kenya National Highways Authority, Oscar Wanyonyi says there are unmarked bumps on the newly refurbished Kericho-Kisumu highway that pose grave danger to road users, especially at night. The most dangerous, he adds, are to be found between Bala trading centre through Ahero township and on to Rabuor market on the eastern outskirts of the lakeside town of Kisumu. “As a standard, they should be marked with retro-reflective paint and rumble strips introduced,” urges Oscar, whose contacts are [email protected]

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CORRUPTION IMPUNITY: Some wayward traffic police officers are making a killing every evening near the Vincentian Retreat Centre on the Thika superhighway, Julius Wairegi reports. The officers, he claims, set up a roadblock and flag down matatus, not to check those flouting traffic rules and regulations, but to extort Sh50 from every vehicle. At the Ruiru-Kiambu road junction towards Kamiti, drivers and conductors drop Sh50 notes, which are then picked up by the officers. “Who will stop this corruption on our roads?” For the details, his contact is [email protected]

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WHERE ARE THE OFFICERS? Between six and eight police officers have been harassing motorists for allegedly speeding on Lang’ata Road, especially near the Deliverance Church, during weekends, but they are always conspicuously missing when they are needed most, says James Gakuo. “On busy working days, there are traffic jams along the same road all day, all the way to the T-Mall roundabout and not a single officer in sight. Isn’t this strange?” asks James, whose contact is [email protected]